Definition Of Figure Painting
Figure Painting is defined as fine art where the human form is the primary subject of the art. It typically falls into several categories.
It can be a portrait but also imaginary, mythical, or historical. Works can also be done as an allegory. This art is most commonly done in a single point perspective.
While Figure Painting is focused on the human body, it is not to be confused with Figurative Art. A figurative painting may encompass any objects of choice.
Nevertheless these both are related and also fit under the umbrella of representational arts.
Figure Painting Today
Today we look at Figure Painting through a lens by which no other culture of history had the privileged of appreciating. We have the advantage in being able to pull from so many eras, periods, styles, and concepts from the past.
It is common to find abstract figure paintings, drawings, fantasy, and even sci-fi works. Artists today can be found creating figure art based upon what we call fan art.
This one segment alone pulls from a wide variety of genres while accessing many periods of history.
Cartoons and animated works call upon more simplistic figure art and representations. The styles of history can be easily recognized in popular shows such as “Raya And The Last Dragon” within its story telling.
While we paint figures today with a far broader brush that incorporates technology, the impact upon our senses are just as powerful.
Its purpose and function still serves much the same as those of times past. New Media Art has facilitated in pushing figure painting beyond its historical scope.
Ultimately Figure Painting serves to preserve who we are and capture the imagination of what we could be. There is no doubt that this art is alive and well within our cultures across the world.
It is ever changing and evolving at a pace unlike any other period of history. Despite all the digital advances we still find many who pursue the traditional ways.
Presenting the human form through painting will never disappear.
Where Did Figure Painting Come From?
The earliest Figure Paintings known to man most likely come from “cave drawings”. Here not all are equal in age due to multiple cultures across time using this method of art.
It is notable that many early cultures and nomadic peoples would use rock walls which were out of the weather for preservation of their story. The art itself was focused on depicting a people with their culture, history, and their story as seen through their eyes.
This style of art is not isolated to primitive people of simple means. Minoan art is an excellent example to this point.
The wall fresco’s which depict beautiful details are more sophisticated yet still focus on the history and traditions of their people.
This focus within Figure Painting can be seen with many early near East civilizations. While within these works deity figures can be easily found much can be learned about their lives and cultures.
It would not be a far stretch to assume that this style of art persisted across many more ancient nations. Nevertheless time also leaves its mark with weathering, wars, migrations, and thus it is easy for this history to be lost.
Little remains from previous cultures archaeologically which is not set into clay or carved into stone. While reason would dictate the Babylonians and early Persian empires would have participated in Figure Painting, little remains from these peoples.
Figure Painting From The Minoans To The Greeks
As time moves forward from the Minoans to the Greeks we see an evolution of Figure Painting begin to take shape. Through the Hellenistic Period we find a transition in how the human form was represented in many mediums within art.
While clothed and nude representations were both popular, how the human figure was presented varied widely. Classical art was more idealized. Hellenistic art gravitated more towards the actual state of the common citizen.
The art given to us from these various periods of Greek history show us how powerful figure art and painting can be in preservation to a story.
It gives us not only how the people lived, but also what they aspired to be.
Within Figure Painting one can often discover the trajectory of a nations world view. At times we can also see who controls that world view.
This control does not have to be by a person of power, but can be religious or culturally driven.
Within periods where an earlier civilization begins to rise it is common to find the idealistic view. Whether this is controlled by a person or a religious narrative the society is moving in a direction together towards an end.
Upon the civilization reaching a peak further cultivation in their arts begin to depict figures more of the common man. It is a cycle which is repeated among many early civilizations.
Yet none can compare to the breadth or depth to that of the Greeks.
Roman Figure Painting
The Romans were most notably known for their engineering and warfare. Culturally they did more through importing others ideas by conquest.
Yet their styles within art were refined from their predecessors.
Roman figure painting evolved from the earlier Hellenistic Greek period. Many similar traits can be found within the styles and depictions of the human form.
Much of what remains from Roman painting comes from murals or panel portraits.
It would be within the Roman catacombs that we find the beginning of what would be later Medieval Figure Painting. The early Christians of the Roman period preferred burying their dead as compared to the Roman pagan ways of cremation.
The Figure Painting found within these catacombs were quite different from other Roman art. Lacking in fine art realism they preferred sketches of Biblical figures in flat and less colorful style.
The point was the message rather than the beauty.
Many of these paintings from the early Christian era remained hidden due to persecution. This would change as Constantine came to power and forever altered the church into something of his vision.
It would take more than a thousand years for this evolution within art to mature.
Medieval To Renaissance Figure Painting
The Medieval period of Figure Painting was heavily influenced by early Christians and also the Catholic Church of that time. This would remain true through the Renaissance era and become a foundation for all future art.
As time moved forward and the Catholics became more dominant, the figure art also began to shift. By the time of the Renaissance more vibrant colors, realistic depictions, and greater focus was placed on the human form.
It is here that a revival of older Hellenistic concepts begin to once again surface. Within these Figure Paintings nude art also returned.
While most works were centered on idealism, the cycle of art with a rise of new nations had once again begun.
It is within this time that a break away from older beliefs began to also set in. By the 16th century Individualism and a greater focus upon representing the common man was dominant.
Idealism would give way to Individualism, and then later the individual will see the Romanticism of art.
It was the Renaissance which became the birthplace for many future arts. At the center of it was was the human form in Figure Painting.
It is forever the idea of how we see ourselves whether in what we wish to be, or in how we really are.
Mixed with these ideas and the future generations that would emerge, remained a strong sense of religious influence. The values and morals of what defines us are forever present no matter the epoch of history.
Within some periods it merely speaks more loudly than others.
Most notable from the Renaissance would be names such as Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci. Works by artists such as these are iconic and are forever with us.
Their art is almost mythical in their creation. Yet this period would set the benchmark for something new. It would bring the birth of art which focused on emotion and thought.
1700’s And Forward In Figure Painting
With the onset of Romanticism quickly came other ways to express art. Throughout the Neoclassical and Romantic age we also find periods such as the Victorian Era.
Then the rise of Art Nouveau which would lead into Art Deco.
With names like Picasso and ideas of Expressionism moving past 1912, the art world would forever be changed. The old world ideas while not removed were used as stepping stones for new standards.
Figure Painting had turned from idealism and portraits, romantics and naturalism, to now emotions and thought. Yet the ideas from the early 1900s would find an altogether new application within abstract arts.
It is within abstract figure art that we begin to see the merging of history with new ideas. Older ways of representing the human figure but now with more color, better techniques, and expressive ideas reshaped the landscape.
Further progression came with the dawn of the digital age. As computers gained the ability to aid artists in their creations all limitations seem to be removed as to where figure art could reach.
The future itself still holds much potential through augmented systems where we will soon interact with virtual art in our physical world. Make no mistake that figure art will certainly have its very unique role.
The Power Behind Figure Painting
The real power behind Figure Painting comes from its ability to represent us. It is an emotional and intellectual connection. Beyond this it is also a connection through a vision of what we may wish to be, or where we may desire to go.
It has the ability to stir each and every emotion known to us based upon how the artist wishes to represent the human form. This very idea has led to debates and rulings from courts over what is or is not art.
Within our modern world art still pushes the envelope as to what is acceptable institutionally and also morally. There still are further boundaries which have yet to be tested as technology continues to march forward in time.
If an artist ever wished to move an audience, and if there ever was an art made for moving people, it is found within Figure Painting. Leonardo’s “Vitruvian Man” is evidence to this fact as it still captures audiences today.
We are only limited by our imagination in how we can paint ourselves. We too are therefore unlimited in how powerfully we can move others by what we give them through art.